WESTERN BUREAU:

THE MONTEGO Bay business community says the city has been provided with a $20-million property by the Ministry of Transport and Works, to house the offices of the criminal investigation unit which has been dogged by lack of space for months.

Tightlipped about the location of the premises, a team, which is being led by a prominent businessman, has warned that the city, which has become a den of scammers and cyber criminals, faced a shutdown of the vibrant information technology industry if these crimes were not brought under control.

Their statement came hours after an obviously frustrated commissioner of police, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, stated, "we are a nation of thieves", while addressing a large contingent of Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association and Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry members at The Wexford Hotel in the city yesterday morning.

The meeting was aimed at finding solutions to the problems of tourist harassment, social intervention in informal settlements (squatter communities), and scamming and credit card fraud, which are having adverse effects on the resort area.

Over the last five years, lottery scamming has become a way of life in a number of poverty-stricken communities. In many cases, it has had devastating effects on the lives of those who are conned and even those who do the scamming. In its path to destruction, it brings enmity and jealousy, with dealers usually paying a heavy price.

Race to revive scams

Although in recent months there has been a big dent in its operation, Superintendent Maurice Robinson, the officer in charge of St James, told the gathering that, "competition for remnants of the industry has increased".

He said it has been enhanced by the economic meltdown, wherein people who were against the scamming are now part of it.

Determined to cauterise the problem, Lewin revealed that some 50 detectives are ready to be deployed to Montego Bay, but he could not find a facility at which to have them based.

"We have identified property that can be used, but we can't afford to purchase it," he told the group. He noted that the police have tried to get space in the Montego Free Zone, a target area for cyber criminals, "but they don't want the police in there".

Unknown to Lewin at the time was the fact that the Ministry of Transport and Works had already answered his cry.

The building, near downtown Montego Bay, The Gleaner understands, is in a rundown condition and is in need of $12 million to effect repairs.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com